Jacob Collier's Creative Journey: From YouTube Bedroom Sessions to Grammy Glory

  Jacob Collier started making music videos in his childhood bedroom in London. At just 19, one upload changed everything. He went from zero...

 

Jacob Collier started making music videos in his childhood bedroom in London. At just 19, one upload changed everything. He went from zero views to selling out arenas worldwide. Now 29, he's earned six Grammys and earned the nickname "Mozart of Gen Z." His story shows how raw creativity can build a lasting career.

In this interview on the Colin and Samir show, Jacob shares his path. He talks about early YouTube days, turning down big offers, and leading massive audience choirs. Creators will find inspiration in his focus on moving people, not just reaching them. He says it best: it's not how many people I've reached; it's of the people I reached, how many did I move. Expect tips on self-taught skills, collaboration, and staying true amid success. His new album, Djesse Vol. 4, ties it all together with voices from 150,000 fans.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7rvDA3MARk

Who Is Jacob Collier?

Jacob Collier grew up surrounded by music. His mom, a violinist and conductor, filled their home with sounds. He started young, but not always on violin. At two, he tried it for two years. Then he switched to piano and drums for quicker rewards. No one pushed him. That freedom let him explore alone.

By his teens, Jacob built a setup in his room. He called it a "cavernous nook" full of ideas. That's where he learned to walk, talk, and create. In 2013, at 19, he posted his first big video: an a cappella cover of Stevie Wonder's "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing." It showed him playing multiple parts on guitar, cajon, shaker, and vocals. The video exploded. Quincy Jones emailed him. Chris Martin later said Jacob's sound felt like it came from the 16th century.

Today, Jacob has six Grammys. He's worked with legends like Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea. But he stays grounded. He rejects the "prodigy" label. It puts him on a pedestal, away from real connection. Instead, he sees himself as a flawed human chasing emotional depth in music.

This matters for creators. Jacob proves you don't need a plan or industry rules to start. Just share what excites you. His journey reminds us: people who know what they're doing don't make interesting work. Focus on surprise and feeling seen.

Early YouTube Days: Sharing Ideas on Your Own Terms

The Shift from Contribution to Consumption

Jacob joined YouTube in 2013. Back then, it felt like a wide-open space. Creators shared what they found cool, without chasing algorithms. He uploaded because ideas burned inside him. No career thoughts at first. YouTube let him contribute freely.

That era changed everything. It democratized voice. Everyone could offer self-expression. Now, things differ. Young creators often think, "What can I get from this?" Success wires minds to chase views. Jacob warns against it. Stay open. Avoid sponging up external forces like cameras or trends.

He recalls three cameras in the interview room. It's easy to perform for them. But sensitivity to surroundings can harm creativity. Participate first, then contribute. Like jamming with Joni Mitchell. Early plays feel like joining in. Later, you add your part. YouTube taught Jacob that. Start by adding droplets to the ocean. Build from there.

The Zero-Views Moment That Sparked It All

Jacob's breakthrough came with that Stevie Wonder cover. He took a screenshot at zero views. Why? Pride in the share. He'd made it alone in his room. Only his mom and sisters heard drafts. Pressing publish felt huge. "Shift command three," he calls it. Like capturing a raw start.

The video showed his process. Split screens revealed layers: guitar, cajon, double bass, six vocals. He wanted transparency. Complex music can feel opaque. This opened a window. Viewers saw everything. No secrets.

Tech hurdles built skills. Old iMovie meant rendering clips repeatedly. It was "gnarly." But a teacher slipped him Final Cut Express on a CD. School policy blocked loans, but kindness won. Jacob used it for multi-cam effects. Heroes inspired him. Pomplamoose's 2009 videos chopped screens creatively. Jack Conte supported early, offering gear.

• First video hack: Chopped iTunes visualizer for a school concert entry.
• A cappella series: Showed "multitudes" in his head.
• Instrument reveal: Made layers clear, moving listeners without confusion.

That video struck a chord. It hit timeless appeal. Stevie Wonder's banger fit Jacob's style.

Meeting Music Icons: Quincy Jones and Beyond

The Email That Felt Like a Prank

Views climbed fast. Then, an email from Quincy Jones. Jacob thought it was fake. Who fakes a Quincy address? But it was real. Quincy geeked over chords. On a 7 a.m. Skype, he asked, "Where'd you get those?" Jacob explained: F7 with a sharp ninth. Quincy lit up. "I thought there was a sharp!"

No industry talk. Just shared language. It brought relief. Someone saw every detail: 32 color-corrected videos, perfect symmetry. Quincy heard the notes, chords, everything. Jacob felt seen. Not alone in his detail obsession.

That kinship led to Switzerland. Quincy flew him over. He met Herbie Hancock too. Legends respected his work early. For a bedroom creator, it was surreal validation.

Choosing Friendship Over a Fast-Track Career

Quincy's team offered management. Jacob said no. With respect, but firm. He didn't want to get "snapped up" into stardom. Suspicious of quick fame. No aspirations for it. Just wanted beautiful work. Quincy made great music. Knowing him felt cool enough.

"Let's be friends," Jacob said. It kept things pure. No dilution. Two years later, he self-produced his first album in that room. Then, he tapped Quincy's team for basics: booking flights, gigs. Friendship grew into support.

Why decline? Intuition. He didn't know his way yet. But someone else's path would water it down. Gutsy at 20. Now, he sees it as right. Hustle has its place. But his wiring seeks presence, not gain.

Debuting at Montreux: A One-Man Show Under Pressure

Quincy booked Jacob's first big gig: opening Montreux Jazz Festival. For Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea. Age 20, no real show ready. Friend Ben Bloomberg helped. A MIT PhD student, Ben built tools with Jacob in Boston.

They created the vocal harmonizer. Sing a note, play a chord. Your voice forms an instant choir. Then, a one-man setup: Jacob in a circle of 12 instruments. Loopers captured moves. 3D cameras tracked his skeleton. Step out, multiple Jacobs appear. Janky tech, but exciting.

3,500 people watched. Legends side-stage. Jacob walked out, heart pounding. 30 minutes of new material. No nerves detailed, but thrill clear. Another publish moment. Every step felt like "making it." From first upload to this.

Self-Taught Paths: Intuition Over Formal Rules

Early Lessons and Family Freedom

Jacob stayed self-taught until 17. A few teachers explained concepts. But mostly, he voyaged alone. Internet gave heroes. He contributed to conversations already happening. Gave and took constantly.

Mom offered piano lessons at eight. He said no. She stayed chill. No pressure built real connection. Ears led: if you heard it, you could play it. Technique followed. Give capacity beyond ears, they grow.

Violin frustrated him. Years for one good note. Piano or drums gave instant bang. Tactile joy drove him.

Feeling First, Knowledge Second

Creatives balance what they know and feel. Feelings touch reality closer. Thoughts remove steps. Intuition like Colin's editing: body-led, not schooled. Reinforce with concepts for balance.

Joni Mitchell knows F major 7 sharp 11 by ear. Names came later. Sounds first. Editing mirrors: no rule book. Make a mark, see fit.

Paralysis hits at the start. Fear of wrong moves. Courage in mistakes opens doors. Songwriting or editing: throw paint. See what sticks. Contribute after learning yourself.

1. Make first mark boldly.
2. Welcome happy accidents without plans.
3. Surprise yourself to stay right.

Rejecting Industry Playbooks

Touring started eight years ago. Early shows: pure figuring. Certainty limits accidents. No book? No problem. Industry warned: "This won't work." Jacob pushed back. "I'm here for my thing."

Patience built natural flow. From internal energy to outward. Post-COVID, it exploded. He watches his growth like an audience member. Job: space for true self.

Audience Choirs: Permission and Shared Voices

From Internal Focus to Radiant Connection

First Montreux video exists in 4K. Jacob looks inward. Energy pulls people into music. No fake extroversion. He skipped theater kid vibes. Honesty ruled.

Over years, energy shifted. Two to three years: more direct. Then COVID weirdness. Back stronger. Now, it radiates out. Comfort with audience interaction grew.

Nerves? Yes, but changed. Respectful people add tension. But no fear of hate. Bad is fine; good overrated. "Genius" pressure? Early positioning added weight. But he deconstructs it. Natural human, not supernatural.

The Magic of Mass Singing

Post-COVID tour changed him. 100 shows in 2022. Recorded every one. Audiences improved. Techniques sharpened. Mom's conducting inspired: command permission, energy, humor.

Choirs form without words. Hands up, they sing. One animal voice. Silence loudest: his voice through theirs. Chills from trust. Communal hug after.

• Philosophical turn: play world as instrument.
• 150,000 voices on Djesse Vol. 4.
• Emotional peak: balanced, no pedestal.

Watch Jacob Collier explores the free Audience Choir for the feel.

Djesse Vol. 4: Learning Through Voices

Building the Series, Facing the Unknown

Four volumes planned to learn from heroes. Then "start career." Vol. 1: orchestral morning rise. Vol. 2: cozy folk evening. Vol. 3: nighttime fever. Vol. 4: open question.

Hardest album. No constraints paralyzed. Wrote tons to find core. Tour unlocked it: feel like conducting live.

Label gave freedom. "Do what you want." Dream turned nightmare. But clarity came. Album about human voice. Back to roots.

Collaborations That Follow the Flow

30-40 guests: John Mayer, John Legend, Chris Martin, Shawn Mendes, Stormzy. Plus audiences. Fresh starts each. Mantra: don't understand, follow. Like Michelangelo: remove non-sculpture.

Yin-yang creation: reveal by absence. Shadows hold meaning. Abundance here; sculpt to see.

Sessions: seed ideas grow. John Mayer track with Lizzy McAlpine. No plan, just flow.

Tracks That Surprise and Lift

"Well" rocks unexpectedly. Power hits. "Bridge Over Troubled Water" ends euphoric. Full listens reveal layers. Discoveries repeat.

Listen to Djesse Vol. 4 on Spotify. Crafted for immersion.

Validation, Family, and Embracing Wildness

Beyond the Prodigy Tag

"Genius" isolates. No bridge to meet as equals. Prefers flawed human view. Emotional core, not intellect. Anyone accesses creativity with comfort, permission.

Happiest conducting 5,000 equals. Voices blend. Balanced lift.

Roots and Inner Fire

Creative mom validated. Dad's separation left gaps. Ancient wound fuels give-and-take. Be own parent, friend. Extract fire from pain.

Wildness over tameness. Room experiments controlled. World lets ideas run. Gather air, wisdom. Unravel self.

AI, Discovery, and Creator Realities

AI as Tool for Wonder

AI excites Jacob. Builds impossible sounds: ice oar shattering underwater, horse backflip on soil. Prompt weirdness; bully to misbehave. Obedience bores. Early DALL-E smeared torchlight escape. Thrilling.

Removes execution. Focus on ideas, taste. Human wins: empathy, surprise, imperfection. Herbie: treat like stroppy teen. Kindness shapes. Empathy saves us.

Building Trust in Abundant Times

Discovery shifted. 50% streams from 10% fans. Trust over engagement. Tell true stories. Magnetism finds people.

TikTok-UMG spat? Side with creatives. Keep access, fair pay. Don't block communication for gain.

Creative infinity syndrome: no rush. Victoria Monét won at 34. Herbie at 84 with Apple Vision Pro. Reinvent anytime. Faith: you're on time. No comparisons.

Challenging Creative Advice

Rick Rubin's "audience last" inspired some. But Jacob critiques. His path: self to others. Village exchange over mountain isolation. Questions beat answers, especially AI era.

Rubin's commercial past? Pure art anywhere, even ambitious. Ambitious reach moves people.

Watch Jacob Collier Answers Music Questions From Twitter for his takes.

Inside the Creative Process: Flow and First Marks

Courting Your Internal Weather

Room knows all states: flow, despair. Spaceship vibe at 10. Tune to mood like surf. Cloudy breeze? Adjust. What turns you on: laughs, anger, quiet?

Diagnose like playlist picks. Sufjan Stevens unravels feels. Create opposite: get it out.

Step in:

1. Meet self without force.
2. Instruments guide flow: bass today.
3. Move to tickle unconscious.

Nonsense, Mistakes, and No Agendas

Make worst song. Unlocks ideas. Fear gone, doors open. Lyrics as instrument: nonsense rules. David Byrne, Spike Milligan. Combine odd words, find meaning.

No mood? Quit, return tomorrow. Discipline for routine, not creation. Interest seizes, then roll.

Rearranging to Originals

Covers safe for experiments. Imitate, interpret, innovate. Familiar sets expectation; pivot surprises. Twinkle Twinkle twist tickles.

Stevie Wonder's repetition resilient. Stretch to oblivion: reharmonize, recontextualize. Joy in arranging own now. All skills apply.

Purpose, Platforms, and Final Sparks

Values Guide, Dreams Flex

Dreams overrated. Quincy: tell God plans, he laughs. Loosen grip for surprises. Values anchor practice. What life wants from you? Contribute value.

Style? Color, pattern draw him. Comfort for bending. Family line since '70s. Dad's influence: visceral pull to patterns.

Platforms as Home

YouTube: search engine, deep dives. Fractals to harmonics. Outputs: archive videos, Instagram antics. Finds people easy.

Home evolved. Room to world. We're all in the room now.

See Jacob Collier: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert. All him, tiny space magic.

Jacob's path from bedroom to choirs shows creativity thrives on openness. Start small, follow feelings, build trust. Moving a few deeply beats reaching masses shallowly. Press publish today. What will you share? Check Djesse Vol. 4 and his early videos. Your turn awaits. Thanks for reading—drop thoughts below.